They watched the dunk tank filling very slowly with water while they ate their hot dogs, and Kelly felt the awkwardness looming large between them. She hated it. And there was no reason for it. They were two adults and they’d kissed.
“Fine, let’s talk about it,” she said when Chase had shoved their napkins and empty condiment packages into one of the bags. “Being Coach’s daughter is both wonderful and a total pain in the ass at the same time. All my life, it’s felt like people... I don’t know how to explain it. I don’t have a different standard, per se, but I feel like I’m more visible. Everybody knows who I am and who my dad is. So when I’m alone with a guy, being called the coach’s daughter—having it be the reason I’m pushed away—pisses me off.”
“You pushed first, just for the record.” Chase stretched his legs out, leaning his elbows on the tabletop. “And I’m sorry I pissed you off, but it’s hard for me to separate the two of you, because he means so much to me. When I look at you, I see a sexy, confident woman who’s amazing, and I want you so bad it hurts sometimes. But I love your dad, Kelly. I love and respect that man, and you’re the most important thing in the world to him. That matters.”
Kelly absorbed his words, trying to focus more on the emotional confession than the fact that he wanted her so badly it hurt. “I guess I can see that.”
“Maybe if my life wasn’t in the shitter and my intentions were more... honorable, I wouldn’t have a problem. But you’re not a woman I can mess around with lightly, and that’s all I’ve got to offer.” He turned his head to look her in the eye. “And even if I could put all that aside, I’m not what you’re looking for long-term, and you’re not looking to have a fling that’ll put you in the gossips’ line of fire. Right?”
“Right.” She felt as if she should say more, but he’d managed to sum up the situation pretty well.
“So we kissed. It happens.”
“It was a great kiss.”
His gaze dropped to her mouth. “Yeah, it was.”
Just thinking about it made her want to do it again but, even if they hadn’t been in one of the most public spots in Stewart Mills, the kissing was over. “How’s the street fair coming along?”
He shrugged and looked out across the grass again. “My part’s about done. Once the tank is full and I’ve made sure it doesn’t leak, I’ll cover it and head back to your parents’ house to clean up. I’m looking forward to seeing the guys again. Murphy and Leavitt should be here soon, from what I hear.”
She nodded. “Alex texted me when he found Sam, and they were on their way out of the airport. That was about two hours ago, so it’ll be at least another hour. Probably more like two, with Friday night traffic.”
“Yeah, they’re going to meet Jen in the school parking lot so she can take them to where they’re staying. Then, after they settle in, they’re going to pick me up so we can go out and catch up over supper.”
Kelly nodded and then drained the last of her soda. “Break’s over, I guess.”
“Somebody could be having a verbal altercation over spilled milk right now,” he teased, standing and gathering the garbage, which he tossed into the nearby trash.
“You’re funny.” She tossed the empty can into the recycling bucket next to the garbage and gave him a stern look. “I’ll see you later. And keep your shirt on.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She really liked the way he said that.
—
Because Sam texted him when he and Alex hit the town line, Chase was watching for them and stepped out onto the porch when the navy sedan pulled into the driveway.
When the two men got out, Chase felt a surge of emotion he hadn’t expected. Sure, they’d been his teammates and his high school buddies, but then they’d all gone their separate ways and eventually lost touch. He hadn’t realized he’d missed them until now.
They looked remarkably the same and yet different at the same time. Sam was more rugged than he’d been as their quarterback, and whatever he did for work was obviously physically demanding. His brown hair was cut short enough that the barber probably skipped scissors and went straight for the clippers, and he was wearing at least a day’s worth of scruff.
Alex had changed even more than Sam. He’d been a very big guy in high school, the star of their defensive line, but now he looked lean and strong. Where Sam looked like he’d just come off a construction site, in worn jeans and a faded T-shirt, Alex wore a button-down shirt and jeans that looked so new, Chase wondered if he’d bought them just for the trip. His dark hair had what Chase always thought of as a business cut, and he was clean shaven.
Seeing the changes in them made Chase feel old, but he consoled himself with the fact that they looked like they could still kick some ass, so maybe he could, too.
He met them at the curb, and both handshakes turned into a quick hug. “I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve seen you guys.”
Sam scowled. “I can’t believe it’s been so long since Murph stopped at a bathroom.”
“When you travel as much as I do, you get used to holding it for longer than a four-year-old can.”
It was like they’d never been apart. They’d all been friends—practically brothers—but the bickering between Murphy and Leavitt was part of the soundtrack of their high school years. “Come on in and see Coach.”
That reunion ate up almost a half hour, until Chase was so hungry he couldn’t stand it anymore, having burned off the hot dogs a long time ago. He’d already told Mrs. McDonnell they were going out on the town, so she didn’t bother with a big dinner. She just kissed each man on the cheek and told them to have a good time and that Chase shouldn’t worry about waking them if they were out late.
O’Rourke’s offered good food and beer, but they ended up going to the Stewart Mills House of Pizza just because they’d spent so much time there during their teen years. There was something about being all together again that brought out the nostalgia.
